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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

The electronic Leica R-3, latest of the world-famous Leitz single lens reflex cameras, offers exposure control with a choice of integrated area metering or selective area metering - both functioning in the automatic mode. It features a silken smooth, six bladed, Leitz initiated, all metal Copal-Leitz focal plane shutter which is electronically controlled, and offers continuous exposure times from 4 full seconds to 1/1000 second. There is a plus or minus two stops override, continuously variable even with automatic operation.

The dual exposure metering modes offer eight separate, distinct metering options to cover any conceivable photographic application. For most photographic situations, with auto-aperture lenses you simply select the desired aperture and the camera will provide the correct shutter speed for perfect exposure. A handy, easy-to-use control permits instant changeover from integrated area metering to selective area metering.

The superb new Leica R-3 is loaded with additional features, such as multi-exposure capability with perfect film registeration, an easy to use depth of field preview lever, an illuminated battery test, a visual film transport indicator, an automatic zero return film counting dial, an on-off switch, X and M flash contacts and an additional hot shoe flash contact.

The extremely brilliant viewfinder screen offers three focusing methods: a large split image rangefinder, a coarse microprism collar surrounding the split image rangefinder, and the balance of the finder field is comprised of ultra-fine microprisms enabling you to focus to the extreme corners. The outer limits of the microprism collar precisely define the metering field when the camera is set for selective area metering and there is an easy-to-use memory lock which enables the user to hold a selective area measurment up to 30 seconds while the picture can be composed.

The camera back is provided with a clear, light-tight window located over the film cartridge. It is, therefore, easy to see whether the camera is loaded or not and, if loaded, to read the type of film and film speed designated on most international standard film cartridges.

Manufacturer description #2

LEICA R3 electronic

S.L.R. camera with pentaprism. Hinged camera back. Eyelets for carrying strap on both sides. Brass top and baseplate, chromium plated in silver or black finish. 1/4" tripod thread.

Rapid bayonet changer for the lenses. Finely-ground micro-prisms ensure bright and contrasty viewfinder image. Sharpness assessment across the entire viewfinder field. Depth-of-fleld button. Central micro-prism ring with additional split-image rangeflnder for positive focusing. Combined lens stop/shutter speed display in the viewfinder.

Measurement at full aperture with all R lenses with automatic diaphragm, and at working aperture with all lenses without automatic diaphragm according to two different measuring methods by means of 3 CdS double photo resistors. Can be changed from integrated (effective) to selective measurement (exact measuring field limit 7mm dia.; corresponding to the measuring screen).

Automatic exposure control for both measuring methods. Storage of the measured value with spot measurement when the release button is pressed (taking up the slack). Shutter speeds continuous from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec. Display of the shutter speeds in the viewfinder.

Changeover to manual measurement for both measuring methods.

Setting at shutter speeds indicated on the dial from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec by hand.

Coupled lens stop, shutter speed, and film speed selector from 12-36 DIN 12-3200 ASA. Exposure corrections of up to ±2 light values can be set. Click-stop shutter speed dial. The shutter speeds set are displayed in the viewfinder. Arresting at automatic position "A". Facility for multiple exposures with automatic backwind.

CLS metal blade focal-plane shutter (Copal LEITZ shutter) for fully electronic, continuous shutter control from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec at the automatic setting ("A"). With manual setting, fully electronic shutter control for 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15th, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec. Mechanical shutter control at "A" setting = 1/90 sec. "B" = time exposures of any desired duration.

Two silver oxide button cells, type Varta N 7301, National G 13, Mallory MS 76 or Ucar S 76.

Battery test.

Automatic synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/250 sec, for electronic flash units up to 1/90 sec.

Separate standard contacts for flashbulbs and electronic flash units. Accessory shoe contact or contact in the flash unit holder.

Adjustable self-timer. LEITZ rapid winding lever with standby position for shutter wind and film transport.

Main switch for battery; also serves as a release block.

Automatic frame counter.

Film transport indicator.

Film cartridge window.

Folding rewind crank.

Rapid film change for all commercially available 35mm films.

Convenient lock for the camera back.

Shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

Very broad carrying strap with non-slip pad.

Manufacturer description #3

Single-lens reflex camera with electronically-controlled metal-blade focal-plane shutter. Alternative averaging or selective light metering through the lens. Automatic shutter speed determination can be switched over to manual control. Shutter speeds from 4 to 1/1000 sec., B, X = 1/90 sec. (electronic-flash synchronization). Focusing screen with finest-grain micro-prisms for sharpness assessment-throughout the viewfinder field. Central micro-prisms ring with additional split-image rangefinder and film wind control. Film cartridge window, rapid film change. Serial No. from 1446001.

LEICA R3-MOT, available from 1978: as LEICA R3, but with connection for motor winder R 3. Display of the selective or averaging measuring mode in the viewfinder above the shutter speed scale. Serial No. from 1492251.

Manufacturer description #4

The Leica R3 is a fully automatic single-lens reflex camera with a wide range of high-resolution, high-contrast LEITZ lenses for every branch of 35-mm photography. But the point-and-shoot simplicity of LEICA R3 photography has been specially designed to preserve and expand your creative freedom.

Most often, you'll work with LEICA R3 automatic integral light metering. Quite simply, this means setting the lens f/stop - shown in the viewfinder - and letting the LEICA R3 select correct shutter speeds, swiftly, accurately, effortlessly.

Sometimes, with very contrasty subject lighting, you'll switch to LEICA R3 automatic selective light metering. In this mode, the through-the-lens light meter responds only to the area covered by the central focusing ring, about one sixth of the acceptance angle of the lens in use.

And this isn't all! The creatively versatile LEICA R3 also permits full manual operation, again with either integral or selective light measurement.

Manufacturer description #5

You will quickly make friends with your new LEICA R 3 / R 3-MOT. It is a modern single-lens-reflex camera with automatic shutter control, offering the choice of integrating or selective light metering through the lens. The "automatic" setting of the shutter speed dial allows rapid picture taking without problems.

After switchover to manual operation the LEICA R 3 / R 3-MOT opens up all possibilities for individual pictorial composition. The large, bright viewfinder of the LEICA R 3 / R 3-MOT supplies the necessary information. It is the control and composition centre: focusing, exposure measurement, assessment of the pictorial effect and perspective are virtually simultaneous. The LEICA R 3-MOT with MOTOR WINDER extends the possibilities of dynamic photography and fully automatic photographic recording. The arrangement of all the controls is so convenient that the few necessary actions soon become second nature.

From the editor

Completely new SLR camera which bore no resemblance to LEICAFLEX models. It was developed in cooperation with Minolta and based on the model XE. The first 2000 cameras (the first 100 in silver chrome) were produced in Wetzlar, the rest at the new Portugal factory.

A motorized version, R3 MOT ELECTRONIC, became available in 1978.

Leica R3 [MOT] Electronic special editions (4)

• Leica R3 Electronic Gold "Oskar Barnack 100th Anniversary" [10050] (1000 units) - 1979
• Leica R3 Electronic Safari [10034] (5000 units) - 1977
• Leica R3 MOT Electronic Aztec (100 units) - 1978
• Leica R3 MOT Electronic "LHSA 10th Anniversary" (100 units) - 1979